]]>
Hi friends…we’re excited! Starting April 1 we’ll be sharing our trip to Jamaica with you! Lots of videos, recipes and more. CLICK below to get a taste of what’s to come. Make sure to also SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss out!

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/join-us-in-jamaica/feed/1Top 5 Jamaican One-Pot Dinnershttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/one-pot-dinners/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/one-pot-dinners/#commentsSun, 07 Dec 2014 14:58:08 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8818 Jamaican one-pot dinners are great any night meal options. These are my Top 5. That’s because they include enough ingredients to make a delicious meal in one pot. Some are quick and some are worth wait, but all are just as tasty the next day, too. So what are you waiting for? Try one of my favourite one-pot meals today! Seasoned Rice “Cook Up” or Seasoned Rice is exactly what it sounds like. Seasoned rice with lots of great ingredients packed into it. I guess you could say it’s the Jamaican version of Fried Rice. It’s a great go-to recipe because it so quick and easy, and all done in one pot. Perfect for a Friday night when you just want to throw a meal together. Red Pea Soup. Plain and simple soup in Jamaica is a meal. And a hearty meal at that. We Jamaicans love our soup, which is a Saturday tradition. However Red Pea Soup is my favourite and I highly recommend it as a one-pot meal. Caution,...

]]>
Jamaican one-pot dinners are great any night meal options. These are my Top 5. That’s because they include enough ingredients to make a delicious meal in one pot. Some are quick and some are worth wait, but all are just as tasty the next day, too. So what are you waiting for? Try one of my favourite one-pot meals today!

Seasoned Rice“Cook Up” or Seasoned Rice is exactly what it sounds like. Seasoned rice with lots of great ingredients packed into it. I guess you could say it’s the Jamaican version of Fried Rice. It’s a great go-to recipe because it so quick and easy, and all done in one pot. Perfect for a Friday night when you just want to throw a meal together.Red Pea Soup. Plain and simple soup in Jamaica is a meal. And a hearty meal at that. We Jamaicans love our soup, which is a Saturday tradition. However Red Pea Soup is my favourite and I highly recommend it as a one-pot meal. Caution, it’s so hearty you may want to eat it with a fork. Corned Beef and Cabbage is a super easy one-pot meal that goes well with rice. I call it a Jamaican stir fry because it’s that easy. Sautee the vegetables first and then place the corned beef on top to warm through. Then fold it into the vegetables and you’re done! Jamaican Pepper Steak is a quick and easy dinner idea. I like to use sirloin steak, which will be nice and tender when used with this recipe. You can use one colour of bell pepper or a variety from green to red to orange and yellow. Serve with rice.

Stew Peas It’s funny … even though Jamaica is a hot, tropical country, we love our hearty stews and soups, all well-suited to colder climates. I think it has to do with the fact that we are traditionally hard-working people who need our meals to “hold us” for the day. Well, Stew Peas, served with rice is full of hearty meal-worthy ingredients: dumplings, beef, pork. One of my family’s all-time favourite meals, any time of year.

]]>Watch the video for this recipe below
In Jamaican some people call Corned Beef bully beef Corn Beef. Corned Beef and Cabbage is an easy one-pot meal that goes well with rice. Not to be confused with the sliced corned beef sold as cold cut, this corned beef is the on the can. You’ll still find it in a odd-shape can with a key that you use to open it…just like when I was growing up!

Instructions
1. Cut each can of corned beef into about 9 pieces; set aside
2. Coursely chop onion, tomato, bell peppers and cabbage into chunky pieces
3. Heat cooking oil in large pan over Medium heat and sautee vegetables for 2 minutes
4. Sprinkle vegetables with salt and pepper; stir in hot pepper sauce if using
5. Mix hot water and ketchup together and pour over vegetables
6. Place corned beef on top of vegetables; turn heat to Low and cover pan
7. After 2 minutes turn off heat and fold corned beef into vegetables

Become a Gold Membernow to enjoy our complete library of recipes and cooking lesson videos, and more!

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/corned-beef-and-cabbage/feed/0Jamaican-Spiced Pumpkin Pie Recipehttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-spiced-pumpkin-pie/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-spiced-pumpkin-pie/#commentsSat, 22 Nov 2014 20:27:21 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8634Pumpkin pie isn’t a traditional Jamaican dessert, but I thought it would be easy to make it taste Jamaican by using coconut milk and the right blend of spices…and a touch of rum, of course. If you love Jamaican sweet potato pudding you’re going to love this delicious twist. It has similar flavours but stand on its own. Make sure to try my Butter Pie Crust. It takes a little time but is so delicious you won’t regret making it. Save time: if you want to save time you can buy a frozen deep-dish pie pastry shell instead. This pie can also be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge; bring to room temperature before serving. Ingredients 1 14-oz can (425 mL) Pure Pumpkin Puree 1 1/4 cups (300 mL) Unsweetened Coconut Milk 1 cup (250 mL) Brown Sugar, packed 1 tsp (5 mL) Ground Ginger 1 tsp (5 mL) Cinnamon 1/2 tsp (2 mL) Nutmeg 1/2 tsp (2 mL) Allspice 1/2 tsp (2 mL) Salt 4...

]]>Pumpkin pie isn’t a traditional Jamaican dessert, but I thought it would be easy to make it taste Jamaican by using coconut milk and the right blend of spices…and a touch of rum, of course. If you love Jamaican sweet potato pudding you’re going to love this delicious twist. It has similar flavours but stand on its own. Make sure to try my Butter Pie Crust. It takes a little time but is so delicious you won’t regret making it.

Save time: if you want to save time you can buy a frozen deep-dish pie pastry shell instead. This pie can also be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge; bring to room temperature before serving.

1. In large bowl whisk together pumpkin, coconut milk, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt
2. One by one whisk eggs into the mixture until smooth; stir in rum
3. Pour filling into pie shell and place on baking sheet into pre-heated 425F (220C) oven. (Note: you will have some filling and pastry leftover. You can use it to make a small tart or use a 10-inch pie pan. In that case it will need about 15 more minutes in the oven)
4. After 10 minutes turn oven down to 350-degrees and bake for 45 minutes, or until filling is no longer wobbles
5. Transfer pie to cooling rack and cool before serving with whipped cream or ice cream

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-spiced-pumpkin-pie/feed/18Butter Pie Crust Recipehttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/pie-crust-recipe/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/pie-crust-recipe/#commentsSat, 22 Nov 2014 18:19:52 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8639 This is an all-purpose pie crust recipe. Its buttery flavour makes it the perfect partner for dessert pies like our Jamaican-Spiced Pumpkin Pie. However, if you are making a savoury pie, just omit the sugar. Ingredients 1 1/3 cups (325 mL) All-Purpose or Plain Flour 1 tsp Sugar (5 mL) (omit for savory pie) 1/4 tsp Salt (1 mL) 1/2 cup (125 mL) cold Unsalted Butter 3 to 4 Tbsp Ice water Extra flour for rolling dough Instructions 1. In bowl mix together flour, sugar and salt 2. Cut butter in small pieces and use fingers to rub chunks into dry ingredient until until crumbly 3. One tablespoon at a time Drizzle water over dry ingredients and stir until mixture is moist enough to hold together when pressed with fingers 4. Flour hands and press the dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap; place in the fridge for 30 minutes Roll the Dough 1. Sprinkle flour on countertop and place unwrapped dough on top...

]]>
This is an all-purpose pie crust recipe. Its buttery flavour makes it the perfect partner for dessert pies like our Jamaican-Spiced Pumpkin Pie. However, if you are making a savoury pie, just omit the sugar.

Instructions
1. In bowl mix together flour, sugar and salt
2. Cut butter in small pieces and use fingers to rub chunks into dry ingredient until until crumbly
3. One tablespoon at a time Drizzle water over dry ingredients and stir until mixture is moist enough to hold together when pressed with fingers
4. Flour hands and press the dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap; place in the fridge for 30 minutes

Roll the Dough
1. Sprinkle flour on countertop and place unwrapped dough on top
2. Flour rolling pin and start rolling dough in different directions to form a large, thin circle. It will be easier to roll as you go and the dough warms; flour countertop and rolling pin as needed
3. Flour the rolling pin and wrap dough around pin by rolling it over the dough
4. Unroll dough over 9-inch pie plate and then fit dough to the bottom and sides of plate
5. Trim overhanging dough to 1 inch from edge of pan
6. Turn excess dough under itself to form a cylinder along the edge of the pan
7. Squeeze dough between index finger of one hand and index finger and thumb of the other to crimp the dough; continue around the edge of the pan
8. Prick the bottom and sides of dough with a fork

Refrigerate pie crust for 30 minutes or longer before filling and baking

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/pie-crust-recipe/feed/3Jamaican Grater Cake Recipehttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-grater-cake/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-grater-cake/#commentsSat, 15 Nov 2014 16:20:00 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8596 This is a gold membership level recipe and video Grater Cake is a traditional Jamaican confection (I bet you haven’t heard that word in a long while). It’s grated coconut, sugar and spices. As I’ve always say, Jamaicans love their sugar! At least those over age 60, like me. That’s because we grew up on traditional confections like grater cake, which was one of the sweet treats you could find in almost every Jamaican food shop then… and now. But it wasn’t unusual for people to make grater cake at home. That’s because there are only a few ingredients, and if you have a heavy bottom pot and a big wooden spoon you’re set to get the job done. When my children were young, they always loved Grater Cake a little more than Coconut Drops. Maybe because of the pretty pink on top. I’m really not sure because I think both are delicious! Every Jamaican knows what Grater Cake is and, like me, have nostalgic memories from childhood. When...

Grater Cake is a traditional Jamaican confection (I bet you haven’t heard thatword in a long while). It’s grated coconut, sugar and spices. As I’ve always say, Jamaicans love their sugar! At least those over age 60, like me. That’s because we grew up on traditional confections like grater cake, which was one of the sweet treats you could find in almost every Jamaican food shop then… and now. But it wasn’t unusual for people to make grater cake at home. That’s because there are only a few ingredients, and if you have a heavy bottom pot and a big wooden spoon you’re set to get the job done.

When my children were young, they always loved Grater Cake a little more than Coconut Drops. Maybe because of the pretty pink on top. I’m really not sure because I think both are delicious!

Every Jamaican knows what Grater Cake is and, like me, have nostalgicmemories from childhood. When I was young I could make one piece of grater cake last for days! Nowadays I don’t eat Grater Cake often, so when I do it’s a real treat.

Sugar freaks will love the blend of sweet coconut and ginger, but if you’re watching your sugar make sure not to over indulge. Just enjoy a small people from time to time to bring back old memories or make new ones.

Tip: If you want the grater cake to be white that you have to remove the brown skin. In the video I show you how to do is with a hand grater. Or you can skip that step and grate everything. In that case you will end up with brown not white grater cake… it will look different but taste just as good.

For this recipe, I took the time to make a longer video so that you can see step-by-step how to make flawless Grater Cake. Watch it from beginning to end and then starting cooking!

Become a Gold Membernow to enjoy our complete library of recipes and cooking lesson videos, and more!

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-grater-cake/feed/1Jamaican Pepper Steakhttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/pepper-steak/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/pepper-steak/#commentsThu, 06 Nov 2014 10:00:00 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8646 Gold members watch the cooking lesson video for this recipe below Pepper Steak is a quick and easy dinner idea. I like to use sirloin steak, which will be nice and tender when used with this recipe. You can use one colour of bell pepper or a variety like I did. I also like it to have a bit of a kick but not too spicy. You can make it as spicy as you want. Just add more pepper sauce. Serve it on a bed of rice with a side salad and you’ll have a delicious meal. Ingredients 1 lb beef top round steak, cut 1 inch thick 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced thin 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup beef broth 1/4 cup light soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 green bell pepper, sliced thin 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin 1 can chopped tomato, drained or 2 medium tomatoes blanched,peeled and cut into wedges...

Pepper Steak is a quick and easy dinner idea. I like to use sirloin steak, which will be nice and tender when used with this recipe. You can use one colour of bell pepper or a variety like I did. I also like it to have a bit of a kick but not too spicy. You can make it as spicy as you want. Just add more pepper sauce. Serve it on a bed of rice with a side salad and you’ll have a delicious meal.

Become a Gold Membernow to enjoy our complete library of recipes and cooking lesson videos, and more!

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/pepper-steak/feed/6Jamaican Gungo Pea Soup Recipehttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-gungo-pea-soup/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-gungo-pea-soup/#commentsThu, 30 Oct 2014 10:00:00 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8599Jamaican Gungo Pea Soup is one of my favourite soups and a close second to my favourite Red Pea Soup. The two soups essentially have the same ingredients with the main difference being the flavour of the beans. For those unfamiliar with gungo peas they are also called pigeon peas. If you can’t find either, black-eyed peas can work as a substitute. Traditional Jamaican soups like Gungo Pea Soup are thick and hearty, and filled with large pieces of vegetables and dumplings. Whether it’s Chicken Pumpkin, Corn or Pepperpot, our soups are a meal! And in my time Saturday was soup day … definitely my favourite day of the week. Note: if you are unable to find tropical sweet potatoes do not substitute orange sweet potatoes, which do not cook in the same way. Instead just omit them from the recipe. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups Dry Gungo Peas (pigeon peas) 8-10 cups Water, approx. 1 lb Stewing beef 1 1/2 lb Salted Pig’s Tail or ham hock (optional) 1 large piece Yellow yam 1 ...

]]>Jamaican Gungo Pea Soup is one of my favourite soups and a close second to my favourite Red Pea Soup. The two soups essentially have the same ingredients with the main difference being the flavour of the beans. For those unfamiliar with gungo peas they are also called pigeon peas. If you can’t find either, black-eyed peas can work as a substitute.

Traditional Jamaican soups like Gungo Pea Soup are thick and hearty, and filled with large pieces of vegetables and dumplings. Whether it’s Chicken Pumpkin, Corn or Pepperpot, our soups are a meal! And in my time Saturday was soup day … definitely my favourite day of the week. Note: if you are unable to find tropical sweet potatoes do not substitute orange sweet potatoes, which do not cook in the same way. Instead just omit them from the recipe.

1. Place dry gungo peas in large soup pot on stove, cover with water and soak overnight
2. If using, place pig tails in bowl, cover with water and soak overnight in fridge to remove excess salt

Instructions

1. To remove more excess salt, put soaked pig tails in a pot, cover with fresh water and bring to a boil. Repeat this step two more times.

2. Place stewing beef in pot with gungo peas and add enough water to cover the two ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for about 1 hour, or until peas and beef are cooked. Note: the beef will likely be cooked before the peas, so remove when tender.

3. At the same time, in a separate pot cover pig tails with water, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer until tender, about 1 hour.

Note: In both pots, as water evaporates when cooking, add boiling water to cover ingredients.

4. When all the ingredients are tender add pig tails (with liquid) to pot with peas and beef and continue simmering.

5. Peel and cut yam and tropical sweet potato into large serving pieces; add to boiling soup. Add boiling water to pot to semi cover yams and potatoes.

6. Make small dumplings (see above) and add to boiling pot of soup.

7. Add onion, thyme, pimento, hot pepper sauce and black pepper to soup pot and simmer until yams and potatoes are tender and soup has thickened.

8. Taste soup for flavour and add salt or pepper, if needed.

Note: This soup should be moderately thick, but if it is too thick add some boiling water.

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/jamaican-gungo-pea-soup/feed/7Jamaican Ingredient: Gungo Peashttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/gungo-peas/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/gungo-peas/#commentsWed, 29 Oct 2014 02:19:36 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8482 You may know them as pigeon peas, but in Jamaica they’re called Gungo Peas. This small, round legume is grown in a pod and has a delicious nutty flavor. They can be found in warmer climates such as the Caribbean, Africa, India, Asia and Latin America. Other names? Goongoo pea, gunga pea, congo pea, congo bean, no-eyed pea, gandule. If you can’t find gungo peas/pigeon peas where you live, black-eyed peas are a good substitute. They’re mainly used to make two traditional Jamaican recipes – Gungo Pea Soup and Gungo Peas and Rice – and are usually sold dried or canned. Just like kidney beans (which Jamaicans call red peas) gungo peas are cooked and treated like a bean. If using dry peas you’ll need to soak them before cooking with them. But the canned peas can be added directly to a recipe. Today you can even find gungo peas canned with coconut milk and ready to use to make these dishes. Product Review Video: Gungo Peas in Coconut Milk...

]]>You may know them as pigeon peas, but in Jamaica they’re called Gungo Peas. This small, round legume is grown in a pod and has a delicious nutty flavor. They can be found in warmer climates such as the Caribbean, Africa, India, Asia and Latin America. Other names? Goongoo pea, gunga pea, congo pea, congo bean, no-eyed pea, gandule.

If you can’t find gungo peas/pigeon peas where you live, black-eyed peas are a good substitute.

They’re mainly used to make two traditional Jamaican recipes – Gungo Pea Soup and Gungo Peas and Rice – and are usually sold dried or canned. Just like kidney beans (which Jamaicans call red peas) gungo peas are cooked and treated like a bean. If using dry peas you’ll need to soak them before cooking with them. But the canned peas can be added directly to a recipe. Today you can even find gungo peas canned with coconut milk and ready to use to make these dishes.

]]>http://cooklikeajamaican.com/gungo-peas/feed/0Food and Family in Londonhttp://cooklikeajamaican.com/food-family-london/
http://cooklikeajamaican.com/food-family-london/#commentsSat, 25 Oct 2014 10:00:00 +0000http://cooklikeajamaican.com/?p=8645This summer I went to London, England. That’s because I used to live there and thought it would be nice to visit my nieces and their families. So off I went with my daughter Diane and my grand-daughter Raine. And boy, did we have a good time. That’s because we were there for a big birthday celebration and all the hub bub that goes with that. For our family that includes cooking lots and lots of delicious food. For us, food goes with family. And our family gatherings are food for the soul. My niece Margaret is quite the cook and was cooking up a storm to get ready for her husband Stephen’s 50th birthday party! There was Escovitch Fish, Curry Chicken, Curry Goat, and more. We videotaped her as she showed me how she makes batches Rice and Peas for the big event. Click below to watch the fun!

]]>This summer I went to London, England. That’s because I used to live there and thought it would be nice to visit my nieces and their families. So off I went with my daughter Diane and my grand-daughter Raine. And boy, did we have a good time. That’s because we were there for a big birthday celebration and all the hub bub that goes with that. For our family that includes cooking lots and lots of delicious food.

For us, food goes with family. And our family gatherings are food for the soul.

My niece Margaret is quite the cook and was cooking up a storm to get ready for her husband Stephen’s 50th birthday party! There was Escovitch Fish, Curry Chicken, Curry Goat, and more. We videotaped her as she showed me how she makes batches Rice and Peas for the big event. Click below to watch the fun!